Int’l donors trust in KP govt good omen, says Khattak

PESHAWAR - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has termed it good omen for development of the province and prosperity of the people that the international donor agencies and world community are now trusting the provincial government due to its transparent policies and candid actions to stop corruption, nepotism and other malpractices in the officialdom. He said that strategic development partnership framework has been evolved to ensure transparent use of funds of donor agencies and remove possibilities of embezzlement at all levels. He said that such comprehensive and affective policy has enabled us to achieve our developmental targets accordingly. Similarly, he said that confidence of the investors have also been restored to invest in different sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to such policies.He was talking to Marc Andre Franche, Country Director UNDP, who called on him at the CM Secretariat Peshawar and discussed with him matters relating to implementation on the ongoing projects as well as proper look after of the IDPs and mitigating the negative impacts of their stay over the local communities. Provincial Head of UNDP Edward Rees, Deputy Provincial Head Dr Akhter Hussain Shah, Technical Advisor Qazi Jamil-ur-Reman and Programme Manager Ashraf Khan as well as Provincial Minister for E&SE Muhammad Atif Khan, DG PDMA Tahir Orakzai and other concerned authorities were also present on this occasion.Marc Andre Franche lauded the transparent monitory policies of provincial government and assured that his organisation will support the PTI-led coalition government in pursuing its agenda of change in the system. He said that the UNDP as well as other donor agencies would increase its cooperation with provincial government with passage of time. He said that UNDP has opened its provincial office in Peshawar with the sole aim to ensure 100 per cent implementation of the ongoing developmental projects. Similarly, he said that his organisation intends to provide technical education to the youth of IDPs in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan other adjacent districts to enable them to stand on their own feet besides ensuring welfare of the local communities. “A survey has also been started to improve social sector delivery system, including health, education, hygiene and sanitation,” he said, adding that UNDP has also play dynamic role in establishing helpline of PDMA and providing facilities to the IDPs.Pervez Khattak while eulogising welfare role of UNDP said that today we are also facing the challenge of hosting millions of IDPs of NWA whose number has been reach to 1 million while the healthcare of 4 thousands infant children among them is more big challenge wherein help of the world community and international donor agencies, including UNDP will be high welcome. Similarly, he said that provincial government is endeavouring to bring drastic changes and improve the health, education, sanitation and water supply sectors and assistance of the donors is need of the hour in this regard. He also underline the need of expansion in the RAHA developmental programme of UNDP in Malakand Division to all over the province as well as completion of the safe city project in Peshawar on international standard. Marc Andre Franche assured serious consideration on these issues and made clear that his agency will leave no stone unturned to extend sincere cooperation and partnership with the provincial government for overall development of the province and ameliorating lot of its people specially the poor.

The KP government and UNDP have struck an agreement for developmental projects in the province and strengthening the institutions worth $105 million under strategic development partnership framework. Under this agreement UNDP is working in the districts of Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Haripur, Buner, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Malakand, Swat Shangla, Chitral, Dera Ismael Khan and Lakki Marwat to improve social sectors service delivery system with active participation of the local communities.